Theme & POV

Theme & Point of View

Theme Definition

the message or lesson the author wants us to know after reading a story

How to write a theme statement

Steps to Finding the Theme of a Story...

• read the story

• list topics that come up in the story

• ask yourself "what is the author trying to teach me?"

• write a theme statement using the lesson you learned

• use text from the story to support your answer

Multiple Choice

What is the theme of this story?

• don't be greedy because you will end up losing out on something greater

• it is better to work as a team because you have someone to share to workload

• respect everyone because you never know when you will need help

• don't steal because you will end up in jail

Multiple Choice

What is the theme of this story?

• Eat your vegetables because they will make you strong

• don't brag, be humble and express thanks for everything you have because you could lose it

• don't talk to strangers because they might be dangerous

• if you need and can't find it create it

Multiple Choice

What is the theme of this story?

• if you need and can't find it create it

• don't steal because you will end up in jail

• respect everyone and always be kind, never rude

• slow but steady wins the race.

Point of View Definition

the position from which something or someone is being written about

First Person POV

• author is a character in the story

• uses pronouns like I, me, we, us, mine

Third Person POV

• is NOT a character in the story

• uses pronouns like he she, they, it

Multiple Choice

Identify the point of view: A pain stabs my left temple and I press my hand against it. Right on the spot where Johanna Mason hit me with the coil of wire. The memories swirl as I try to sort out what is true and what is false.

• First Person

• Second Person

• Third Person

Multiple Choice

Identify the point of view: I walked towards the bus stop, hoping to not see Maria. She told everyone my biggest secret and I was never going to forgive her, no matter how hard she tried to cheer me up.

• First Person

• Second Person

• Third Person

Multiple Choice

Identify the point of view: "Annabel," said Jimmy, "give me that rose you are wearing, will you?" Hardly believing that she had heard him right, she unpinned the flower from her dress and placed it in his hand.

• First Person

• Second Person

• Third Person

Multiple Choice

She sobbed for hours trying to think of a way out of having to tell her father she wrecked her new car. After stewing over it for quite some time, she called her father on his cell phone. "Thank you," he said.

• Sometimes crying is good for you

• it's important to be honest

• don't drive a car without a license

• experiencing loss/grief is difficult

Multiple Choice

Three flies notice an overturned honey pot. Two of the flies decide to land in the honey and start eating it. But the oldest fly stays back. The two flies tease the older fly, but then get stuck in the honey.

What is the theme of this story?

• Some prizes aren't worth it.

• Overeating leads to illness.

• Insects are helpful to the environment

• Always send a tester.

Multiple Choice

Kyle liked Lucy more than any other girl in the school, but he had an odd way of showing it. When she walked ahead of him in line, he kicked at her shoe. When she passed him in the hallway, he caller her "Lame Lucy" He even wrote a mean word on her homework during the bus ride to school. But what puzzled Lucy the most was receiving an invitation to Kyle's birthday party. Figuring that he was just planning a mean trick on her, Lucy decided not to go, and while Kyle eagerly awaited Lucy's arrival, Lucy talked on the phone to Jacob. When Kyle finally realized that Lucy was not coming to his party, he was crushed.

• Don't go to parties if you think you'll be tricked

• Being mean to people will let you know that you like them

• Always be honest about your feelings, say and do what you think and feel

• hitting is not nice

Multiple Choice

I ran up a steep hill. I was very hot and exhausted. It was a long race, but I was in the lead. I knew if I could keep my pace I would be able to win the race.

• 1st person POV

• 2nd person POV

• 3rd person POV

Multiple Choice

Adrian was anxious when he got home from school Thursday afternoon. Ms. Arellano gave so much homework and he knew that his mom wouldn't let him play video games unless all of his homework was done.

• 1st person POV

• 2nd person POV

• 3rd person POV

Multiple Choice

The sound of my feet hitting the street formed a rhythm, a steady pattern of light thumps. I timed my breathing with the rhythm. I thought of nothing other than the next step. I soared over the sidewalks like concrete clouds.

• First Person Point of View

• Second Person Point of View

• Third Person Point of View